Father/Son Bonding Time (Benji)

[PYRUS BARTHOLOMEW ADAIR]

Meal times were perhaps Pyrus' favourite times of the school day. Apart from when it was time to retire to his rooms of course. It was one of the few times he was able to be alone without having to worry about anyone interrupting his thoughts or his work since everyone else would be busy stuffing their faces with the food the elves prepared for them. Pyrus much preferred to eat in his greenhouse or in his rooms than join the staff at their table and was rarely seen at his seat excepting those times when it was absolutely needed.

Looking about him, he wiped his somewhat grubby fingers down the side of the heavy duty apron covering his teaching robes with a sigh. He had spent the better part of this afternoon fixing some of the most horrific messed he had ever seen in all his time teaching! How his students thought they could get away with such shoddy work was beyond him and he had made sure to let them know how displeased he was with their efforts. His poor plants had been pushed and pulled into pots far too small or far too large and many had broken stems and flowers. It was a complete shambles and as such he had firmly decided the best course of action was for him to simple do the work himself, whilst silently coming up with ways in which to punish said students. Even his own house had disappointed him today! It was perhaps a good thing that he was giving over the bumbling professor impression otherwise things might have gone differently today.

It was of course only a matter of time before circumstance would allow him to shed this pathetic excuse for a life. Bumbling? Him? No. He would never be accused such a thing by those who knew of the real him and never by his children. They knew him better than anyone and he was prouder of them than he could ever say.

Speaking of children he had been expecting his third eldest to come and visit this evening. His frown deepened and digging out his wand muttered 'Tempus,' and watched as silver green numbers informed him of the time before shimmering away. Benjamin was late. How unusual. Hopefully nothing had gone amiss for he wished to see him. There were many things that had to be discussed and since his other children at this school were still too young to be trusted with such matters he had no other alternative than to confide with him. Not that it was a bad thing of course but it would have been nice for the whole family to be together in this.

It was always good to plan family activities afterall.

[BENJAMIN SALIX HOXLEY ADAIR]

- - - - - - - - - - - - -

Benji had arranged to meet his father in the greenhouse during tea time. His mind raced and wondered what it was about but on his way to meet with his father he was caught up with prefect duties. Merlin he was glad he did not become head boy, he would not have had time for it, being leader of the Shadows was a big responsibility. He had two others along side him but it felt as though more of the responsibility fell to him what with Pyrus being one of the leaders of the Dark Avengers it meant that they could make their plans coincide more easily and yet no one would suspect. They were a father and son, Herbology Professor and Prefect. How suspicious could they be really? Pyrus was know to opening up his heart and home to orphaned children. There was only good to be seen around Pyrus but that was because it was what he wanted people to see.

It wasn't unusual for Benji to be seen packing himself a lunch in the great hall. Much like his father he preferred solitude and so he had made himself a roast beef sandwich, wrapped it up and was on his way to the Greenhouse when his prefect issues started. A young boy, probably a second year was being bullied by a couple of fourth years from Slytherin. Benji cleared his throat an immediately the Slytherin's turned around, saw his badge and ran off. Benji looked down at the young boy in what appeared to be Gryffindor robes and he knew he had to either escort him to the great hall or to the hospital wing if he wanted or was hurt and then he had to inform the head boy or girl, luckily he'd seen Maelee at the Ravenclaw dinner table.

Taking the boy to the great hall and informing Maelee of the situation took time that he did not have to waste but he got back on track, heading to the grounds at once. The air was fresh, he thought as he walked across the grounds, he wasn't particularly keen of the great out doors but the greenhouses weren't so bad, he enjoyed herbology and was good at it. The greenhouses were usually warm and humid and he rather preferred that to cold winds.

Pushing open the door to the arranged meeting greenhouse, Benji put his sandwich down and reached for the aprons. He popped the loop over his head and tied the strings at the back. He picked up his sandwich again and made his way to his father's desk where he placed the sandwich neatly and carefully near the edge. He was very particular about how he wrapped his sandwich and even how it was stacked and made. He'd even placed it symmetrically on the desk before pulling his gloves out of his inside cloak pocket.

Slipping his gloves on he made his way over to his father and tipped his head a little. "Apologies for my tardiness, father." He said, turning to the plants in front of them. They looked in an absolutely shocking condition. There were few students that could tend the plants well enough and Benji felt he was one of them, but that was more because was a little OCD when it came to neatness and correct sizes for things. He liked for things to fit properly, things out of place made him feel a little uneasy. So lightly he evened out the dirt of a plant he had identified as non poisonous and thankfully, non movey.

- - - - - - - - - - - - -

tag: Pyrus Bartholomew Adair
wearing: School uniform
comments: Father/Son time! Wooo![/justify]

[PYRUS BARTHOLOMEW ADAIR]

The sound of the greenhouse door banging shut was the first indication that someone had joined him in his sanctuary and without having to turn around knew it was his son. Who else would willingly come into the greenhouse? no student would be caught dead in here unless they happened to be particularly gifted in the subject he taught although he had made it very clear that no one was to enter until he had tidied up the mess that had been left behind (although he certainly considered the thought that he could save himself a lot of work making those children do it instead!) and no professor came in unless previously invited. Pyrus was used to being left to his own devices.

Turning his head as Benjamin appeared next to him, wearing one of the aprons, he smiled fondly at him as he listened to the apology his son offered him. He supposed he didn't mind so much that he was late but it was highly irregular of the boy and since Pyrus always seemed to be pulled between his duty as a professor, the work he was doing to cleanse this world of those unworthy of having any sort of right to the magical world they lived in and the many children he had he did tend to be a little particular himself about people being on time. He might come across as a professor who wasn't all there most of the time but every one of his students knew that he would never tolerate lateness to his classes and his meetings were no different.

"I assume you were held up in some capacity," He commented, pulling out the roots of a trailing vine that promptly attempted to wrap itself around his arms for doing so and without even wincing at the tightening vines now constricting his entire left arm went about putting it back into a new pot with fresh soil. "These things happen." He spared the boy a quick smile before looking back down so he could make sure he was replanting the vine correctly and once the roots were back in soil and covered once again he flexed his arm as he was freed from his binds.

"Grab a pot Benji, I think I may need a little help replanting all of these. I do believe I am teaching a class of ingrates." He pulled another pot to him, picked up a trowel and began to transfer soil from a sack to the pot before him. The only thing that marred this very regular scene was the frown upon his lips. He really hated the way this class has gone today.

Turning his mind back to why he had called Benji he looked back at the boy beside him. "Any news for me?" He inquired, hoping for some good news. Anything would be good after the utter shambles of the attack at Diagon Alley that had put the Potter woman in hospital....if she had died it would have been a more favourable turn of events.